US4611359A - Top brush construction with inflatable center section - Google Patents
Top brush construction with inflatable center section Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4611359A US4611359A US06/665,183 US66518384A US4611359A US 4611359 A US4611359 A US 4611359A US 66518384 A US66518384 A US 66518384A US 4611359 A US4611359 A US 4611359A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- length
- shaft
- vehicle
- brush
- cushion
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S3/00—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
- B60S3/04—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles
- B60S3/06—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles with rotary bodies contacting the vehicle
- B60S3/066—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles with rotary bodies contacting the vehicle the axis of rotation being approximately horizontal
Definitions
- This invention relates to the construction of rotary cleaning devices which are used in car washes and the like to remove dirt from finished automobile surfaces and particularly to an improved construction for such devices which maximizes the cleaning action but minimizes the possibility of accidental destruction or damage both to the vehicle being cleaned and to the cleaning apparatus itself.
- Prior art car washing systems commonly utilize rotary brushes consisting of a motor driven shaft and a covering of long plastic strands which contact a vehicle being washed to remove dirt and grime. Water or the combination of water and detergent is typically sprayed in abundance onto the vehicle surface as the brush contacts the vehicle.
- Another prior art car washing device comprises a curtain or series of curtains made up of vertically depending cloth strips, usually felt, which hang into the path of the vehicle and which contact vehicle surfaces in a scrubbing fashion as the vehicle passes along a wash lane, or in the case of a rollover washer, as the gantry containing the cloth curtain passes over the stationary vehicle.
- a curtain or series of curtains made up of vertically depending cloth strips, usually felt, which hang into the path of the vehicle and which contact vehicle surfaces in a scrubbing fashion as the vehicle passes along a wash lane, or in the case of a rollover washer, as the gantry containing the cloth curtain passes over the stationary vehicle.
- water or the combination of detergent and water is sprayed onto the vehicle during the scrubbing function. In some cases the scrubbing action is enhanced by reciprocal lateral motion of the hanging curtain.
- the present invention provides a brush-like rotary cleaning device for vehicle washing systems which essentially combines the advantages of the bristle brush and the cloth strip washer but which eliminates the disadvantages of both devices.
- the device is a rotary brush having cloth strips rather than plastic bristles for engagement with the surface to be cleaned.
- the present invention further comprises a support system for the cloth strips which is composite in nature and comprises a soft or radially resilient center section of large diameter thus permitting the use of relatively short cloth strips, and opposite end sections contiguous with the center section in which the support shaft is relatively rigid, of small diameter and which permits the use of relatively long cloth strips for engagement with the vehicle.
- the support system is made up of a relatively small diameter shaft which defines the overall width of the brush device and a center section which mounts on the shaft and which comprises essentially an inflatable toroid preferably made up of several chambers, covered with a wrapper to which the short length cloth strips are attached.
- the longer length cloth strips are attached by suitable means to the small diameter shaft on longitudinally but contiguous sides of the inflatable toroid.
- the support system referred to above is provided with a center section comprised of plastic covered open cell foam; said foam most likely being cylindrical in nature but not precluding other possible forms.
- the section is then covered with wrapper and attached to the shaft in the same manner as discussed above.
- the center section not only permits the shorter strips which are far less likely to damage a vehicle or vehicle accessories but further provides a resilient bumper, buffer or cushion which is capable of absorbing impact with a vehicle and preventing or minimizing damage to the shaft in the event of rough or abrupt engagement with the vehicle.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle washing apparatus employing the invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of the horizontal brush for the car washing apparatus of FIG. 1 and embodying the invention
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the brush of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the components of the brush of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the horizontal brush for the car washing apparatus of FIG. 1 and embodying the invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 progressing through a wash lane 12 such as by conveyor chain or push-roller or other conventional and well-known system for moving vehicles through automatic washing apparatus.
- a wash lane 12 such as by conveyor chain or push-roller or other conventional and well-known system for moving vehicles through automatic washing apparatus.
- posts 14 and 16 which pivotally support a horizontal brush 18 which contacts the front, top and rear surfaces of the vehicle 10.
- Means are used in combination with the apparatus of FIG. 1 to spray water or a combination of water and detergent on the vehicle 10 to assist in the cleaning function.
- Rotary brush 18 is supported between pivot arms 20 and 22 which together carry a rotary shaft 24.
- a motor 26 is mounted on arm 20 and coupled with gear box 28 in a conventional and well-known fashion to rotate the brush 18 about its own horizontal axis at a speed of about 95 rpm.
- FIG. 1 to comprise a stationary wash apparatus and means for causing motion of the vehicle 10
- the invention is equally applicable to rollover gantry type car washing systems in which the vehicle remains stationary and a wash gantry carrying the brushes and sprays moves longitudinally back and forth on tracks to perform the washing function.
- Brush 18 comprises a hollow steel shaft 24 of 31/2 inch diameter and approximately 118 inches in length forming the main support element for the brush 18 and the connection thereof to the pivot arms 20 and 22 shown in FIG. 1.
- Mounted on the center of the shaft 24 and coaxial therewith is an 8 inch diameter round steel tube 30 of approximately 34 inches in length and welded or otherwise secured to the shaft 24 so as to occupy a fixed, centered position.
- Mounted on the tube 30 are four inflatable toroidal chambers made up of rubber inner tubes, 32, 34, 36, and 38, the size and diameters of the inner tubes 32,34, 36 and 38 being chosen so as to fit snugly and securely on the large diameter tube 30.
- a gap of two or three inches is preferably left between tubes 34 and 36 but the tubes in the pairs 32, 34 and 36, 38 are preferably snugly adjacent one another.
- a needle punched felt cover or backing 40 approximately 68 ⁇ 56 inches in size is wrapped over the tubes 32, 34, 36 and 38 and snugged to the shaft 24 to maintain the tubes in place.
- the securement of the backing 40 is readily achieved by fastening a zipper comprising conjugal sections 42a and 42b along opposite lengths thereof such that the zipper section 42a and 42b may be closed upon one another, the axis of the zipper running parallel to the shaft 24.
- the other ends of the backing 40 are provided with tabs 44 which are folded over and sewn in place to provide a passage for cord 46 which may be pulled tight and tied together to bring-in and tie down the ends of the backing 40 to the configuration best shown in FIG. 2.
- Cord 48 is provided in the opposite side for similar purposes.
- short needle-punched felt strips are sewn to the backing 40 in the fashion shown in FIG. 3 and with at least approximately the spacing as shown in FIG. 3.
- the short strips are about 12 inches in effective radial length when doubled over and sewn in place as shown in FIG. 3.
- Longer needle-punched felt strips 52 are secured to backings 54 and 56 which are secured to the shaft 24 contiguously with the backing 40 in the center section.
- the long strips 52 are about 32 to 34 inches in effective radial length; i.e. of such length as to provide a substantially uniform radius brush effect when, as previously mentioned, the brush unit 18 is rotated about its own axis at a speed of approximately 95 rpm. This speed has been found to make the brush felt strips 50 and 52 stand out to full length while nevertheless being too slow to produce either a slapping effect or a damaging contact with the vehicle 10.
- the tubes 32, 34, 36 and 38 may, in the illustrative embodiment described herein, be inflatable 18-850x8 vehicle inner tubes but a variety of other resilient toroidal cushion devices having a similar effect may be employed as alternatives.
- the cloth strips 50 and 52 are about 1/2 inch in width but may vary according to the designer's preference. A variety of materials including needle punched felt and synthetics may be used.
- FIG. 5 A second preferred embodiment is illustrated by FIG. 5.
- the modification involves the substitution of a foam cylinder 58 for the inner tubes 32, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIG. 2 of the patent disclosure.
- the foam cylinder 58 is 26 inches in diameter and has a 31/2 inch diameter axial hole which allows the foam cylinder to be mounted on the brush shaft using some kind of a water proof adhesive.
- the core may consist of a fairly high density open cell foam covered with plastic to eliminate water soaking.
- the bags with the felt strips shown at 40 in FIG. 4 are then placed over the plastic covered foam cylinder. Note that this embodiment achieves the same result in substantially the same way however eliminates the need for the built up center section of the shaft 24 which was only necessary to accommodate the large inner diameter of the inner tubes. In addition it alleviates the necessity of welding since the cylinder 58 is cemented to the shaft 24 using a waterproof adhesive.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/665,183 US4611359A (en) | 1984-01-19 | 1984-10-26 | Top brush construction with inflatable center section |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/572,116 US4547922A (en) | 1984-01-19 | 1984-01-19 | Top brush construction with inflatable center section |
US06/665,183 US4611359A (en) | 1984-01-19 | 1984-10-26 | Top brush construction with inflatable center section |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/572,116 Continuation-In-Part US4547922A (en) | 1984-01-19 | 1984-01-19 | Top brush construction with inflatable center section |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4611359A true US4611359A (en) | 1986-09-16 |
Family
ID=27075742
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/665,183 Expired - Fee Related US4611359A (en) | 1984-01-19 | 1984-10-26 | Top brush construction with inflatable center section |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US4611359A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1991012159A1 (en) * | 1990-02-08 | 1991-08-22 | Ennis G Thomas | Vehicle washing apparatus |
EP0793926A1 (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1997-09-10 | Nowiteck Establishment | Process for making rotating brushes for automatic car washes |
US5946761A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-09-07 | Ennis; G. Thomas | Vehicle cleaning element |
US6287388B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2001-09-11 | Richard E. Hahn | Apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body prior to spraying thereof |
US20020121561A1 (en) * | 1997-01-21 | 2002-09-05 | Lou Marrero | Aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining aircraft |
US7219385B1 (en) * | 2003-04-04 | 2007-05-22 | Rietsch Jr Gilbert J | Brush and method for car wash |
US20090139043A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2009-06-04 | Dikai International Enterprise Co.,Ltd | Cleaning device with cleaning means and a frame body |
US20090205150A1 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2009-08-20 | Wentworth Robert J | Car wash cloth roll assembly |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US689590A (en) * | 1900-10-20 | 1901-12-24 | Martin Johnson | Inflatable roller. |
US2215692A (en) * | 1937-09-16 | 1940-09-24 | Chrysler Corp | Finishing and polishing apparatus |
GB731856A (en) * | 1952-12-23 | 1955-06-15 | Wessel Hans | Improvements in and relating to cleaning brushes, more particularly for tubes |
US3543319A (en) * | 1968-08-12 | 1970-12-01 | Power Wash Inc | Portable self-propelled trailer washing device |
US3584328A (en) * | 1969-12-02 | 1971-06-15 | Fab Fibre Co | Streetsweeper brush |
US3774259A (en) * | 1971-05-18 | 1973-11-27 | Shur Brite Wax O Matic Inc | Automatic surface polishing system |
US4250591A (en) * | 1979-07-31 | 1981-02-17 | Mello Frank A | Sponge rollers and vacuum means for removing water from vehicle in a car wash |
US4377878A (en) * | 1981-02-11 | 1983-03-29 | Pecora Daniel P | Vehicle finishing device |
-
1984
- 1984-10-26 US US06/665,183 patent/US4611359A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US689590A (en) * | 1900-10-20 | 1901-12-24 | Martin Johnson | Inflatable roller. |
US2215692A (en) * | 1937-09-16 | 1940-09-24 | Chrysler Corp | Finishing and polishing apparatus |
GB731856A (en) * | 1952-12-23 | 1955-06-15 | Wessel Hans | Improvements in and relating to cleaning brushes, more particularly for tubes |
US3543319A (en) * | 1968-08-12 | 1970-12-01 | Power Wash Inc | Portable self-propelled trailer washing device |
US3584328A (en) * | 1969-12-02 | 1971-06-15 | Fab Fibre Co | Streetsweeper brush |
US3774259A (en) * | 1971-05-18 | 1973-11-27 | Shur Brite Wax O Matic Inc | Automatic surface polishing system |
US4250591A (en) * | 1979-07-31 | 1981-02-17 | Mello Frank A | Sponge rollers and vacuum means for removing water from vehicle in a car wash |
US4377878A (en) * | 1981-02-11 | 1983-03-29 | Pecora Daniel P | Vehicle finishing device |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1991012159A1 (en) * | 1990-02-08 | 1991-08-22 | Ennis G Thomas | Vehicle washing apparatus |
US5077859A (en) * | 1990-02-08 | 1992-01-07 | N/S Corporation | Vehicle washing apparatus |
EP0793926A1 (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1997-09-10 | Nowiteck Establishment | Process for making rotating brushes for automatic car washes |
US5813728A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1998-09-29 | Nowiteck Establishment | Process for making rotating brushes for automatic car washes |
CN1133556C (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 2004-01-07 | 诺威蒂克企业公司 | Process for making brushes for automatic or manually car washes |
US20020121561A1 (en) * | 1997-01-21 | 2002-09-05 | Lou Marrero | Aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining aircraft |
US5946761A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-09-07 | Ennis; G. Thomas | Vehicle cleaning element |
US6287388B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2001-09-11 | Richard E. Hahn | Apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body prior to spraying thereof |
US7219385B1 (en) * | 2003-04-04 | 2007-05-22 | Rietsch Jr Gilbert J | Brush and method for car wash |
US20090139043A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2009-06-04 | Dikai International Enterprise Co.,Ltd | Cleaning device with cleaning means and a frame body |
US8132287B2 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2012-03-13 | Dikai International Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Cleaning device with cleaning means and a frame body |
US20090205150A1 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2009-08-20 | Wentworth Robert J | Car wash cloth roll assembly |
US8082618B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 | 2011-12-27 | Motor City Wash Works, Inc. | Car wash cloth roll assembly |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BIVENS WINCHESTER CORPORATION, DANVILLE VA A CORP Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BIVENS, DAVID J.;REEL/FRAME:004331/0049 Effective date: 19841012 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WINCRO, INC., P. O. BOX 330, DANVILLE, VIRGINIA, Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BIVENS WINCHESTER CORPORATION, A CORP OF VA.;REEL/FRAME:004488/0456 Effective date: 19851126 Owner name: BIVENS WINCHESTER CORPORATION, P. O. BOX 330, DANV Free format text: LICENSE;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004488/0468 Effective date: 19851116 Owner name: AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, P. O. BO Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BIVENS WINCHESTER CORPORATION, A CORP OF VA.;REEL/FRAME:004488/0456 Effective date: 19851126 |
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FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, VIRGINIA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BIVENS WINCHETER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005172/0472 Effective date: 19890830 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19900916 |